Rental car deal: Enterprise $9.99 weekend special lasts into 2011

Sometimes an airfare sale can inspire a great weekend escape -- one that could be nicely enhanced with a cheap rental-car rate. Enterprise Rent-A-Car is offering a weekend deal that lasts well into the new year.

The deal: The Weekend Special offers an incredibly cheap rate starting at $9.99 per day for three-day rentals from Fridays to Mondays. The special doesn’t apply to airport car-rental counters but rather to Enterprise's "neighborhood locations" in U.S. cities and towns. The deal includes 100 free miles per day and charges 20 cents for each additional mile. The offer also doesn't include optional insurance add-ons or taxes and fees.

When: The special is good through May 24, though blackout dates may apply. And, as with most deals, it's subject to availability.

Tested: I checked on Enterprise's website and found the $9.99 per day rate available Jan. 7 to 10 in Portland, Ore. Total cost with taxes and fees of an economy or compact car for three days: $36.60 at Enterprise’s site at 423 N.E. 102nd Ave.

I also found the deal for a rental from Jan. 14 to 17 for a total cost of $36.66 at Enterprise’s West Seattle office; and in Sacramento from Jan. 7 to 10 for $34.06 at an Enterprise site at 2700 Arden Way. I didn’t, however, find availability in New York City or San Francisco after trying a number of random dates.

Bottom line: This deal could make a getaway even cheaper, provided you choose the right place and stay within the mileage limits.